Title: My Immortal 3/?

Author: Lanah

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Will Horatio lose what he holds most valuable?

Horatio leant back in his chair and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Running his hands through his hands through his hair and down his face he felt the stubble on his face, he couldn't remember the last time he'd shaven. A knock on the door startled Horatio, before opening the door he kissed Calleigh on the forehead hoping she would be OK. Pulling open the door he saw two police officers greet him with a simple nod.

"Lt Caine?" The younger one asked.

"Yes."

"This is Constable French and I'm Sergeant Daniel Summers. We would like to ask you a few questions." Summers stood aside motioning for Horatio to follow him. Looking back at Calleigh he couldn't bear the thought of being separated from her, his heart ached at the thought. /I'll be back soon Cal./

Sitting down Horatio faced the two police officers waiting for them to start.

"Lt Caine what can you tell us about what happened?" Constable French asked.

"Um, I was leaving...ah CSI, it was raining. Calleigh was crossing the road, she didn't see the car, she didn't have time to get out of the way." Horatio explained absent mindedly.

"What colour was the car? Do you remember what make it was?" Summers pushed.

"Colour? Umm blue maybe, maybe dark blue I think it was a small sedan. Licence number was 607..." Horatio's mind wandered back to that night.

"Lt Caine? Lt Caine?"

"Sorry that's all I remember." Getting up Horatio began walking back to Calleigh's room when he heard a familiar voice call his name.

"Horatio!" Frank Tripp called after him. Stopping in his tracks Horatio felt the anger boil up inside him, if Tripp hadn't called him Calleigh would still be alright, none of this would have happened.

"Get out of this hospital now." Horatio spat.

"Excuse me?"

"You caused this, this is your fault! You son of a bitch!" Horatio flew at Tripp grabbing him around the neck throwing him against the wall. Pulling him back and throwing him against the wall again, Tripp shouted out in pain as his skull cracked a hole in the wall.

"Let go Lt Caine!" Tripp managed to yell.

"If she dies...if Calleigh dies I swear you'll never forget what you've done." The anger in Horatio's eyes frightened Tripp, the sheer ferocity of what he'd said and done made him believe Horatio's threat.

"H, let him go!" Delko appeared out of nowhere and pushed Horatio away from his boss. Holding Horatio by the front f his shirt Delko told Tripp to leave.

"What are you doing Horatio? You can't just attack Tripp, yeah we're all upset man but Cal wouldn't want you to lose your job." Delko let Horatio go. The emotionless look in his eyes almost crushed Delko. He had never seen him like this and it scared him that Horatio was destroying himself from the inside. Delko knew that it was his turn to take on the role Horatio once filled, if things were to stay together it had to be this way.

"Get away from me." Horatio slid down the wall hanging his head between his legs.

"Come on, you should go home and shower. Get some sleep." Trying to pull Horatio up he was knocked back by a sharp punch to the shoulder. Seeing that asking wasn't going to win him over Delko grabbed Horatio by his shoulders and said, "Either you go home on your own accord or I'll take you home and make sure you stay there. It's your choice." Delko commanded. Giving in Horatio agreed to go home and get some rest.

Horatio switched on the lights to his apartment and tossed the keys on the table. Laying his jacket across the couch he caught sight of their Scrabble game that Calleigh had began packing away. Kneeling down in front of it he traced his fingers over each individual letter. It was in that moment he felt his strength return to him.

"No more, I have to be strong for her. Calleigh has to feel I haven't given up on her, on us." Horatio stood up, his shoulders back and head held high. Shedding his clothes he jumped into the shower and washed himself clean of the self pity, with each minute passing he felt his soul rebuild itself. No longer would it be a dark place where demons and monster would torment him, no longer would he feel self pity.

The hot water burned his skin, but Horatio let it. He let it burn away his misdeeds of the past week. Stepping out of the shower his skin shone a bright red leaving his skin feeling tender. Drying his freshly washed hair he pulled on a pair of PJ pants and got into bed.

"Good night Cal."

TBC...

"When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears;

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears;

I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me."